Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the predictive factors associated with therapy nonadherence among hypertensive older adults, based on functional dependency, memory disorders, self-perceived wellbeing, abuse, and depression in an area of southern Chile. METHODS: A quantitative, exploratory study of a sample of 211 hypertensive, older adults (29.1% of those being treated by the cardiovascular program at the Centro de Salud Familiar San Pedro, in the province of Concepción, del Bío Bío region, Chile). Seven instruments were applied: Pfeiffer's short mental status questionnaire, Yesavage's geriatric depression scale, the elder abuse screening scale, the morale scale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center, the health behavior scale, the Lawton assessment of instrumental activities of daily living (ADL), and the Katz ADL index. Following an analysis of the important components, latent variables were identified. RESULTS: Two latent variables were identified: social connectedness-measured by the variables depression, abuse, and social satisfaction-and autonomy-measured by the variables mental health and ability to perform basic and instrumental ADLs. These latent variables accounted for 39.7% and 20.7% of nonadherence to therapy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The latent variables proposed here can be used as predictive factors for therapy nonadherence in elderly adults with arterial hypertension. Causes of nonadherence to therapy cannot be assessed solely at health care centers; but rather, an understanding of the home environment is needed and treatment should be adapted according to the needs that exist there.